Jay Van Andel
Jay Van Andel | |
---|---|
![]() Van Andel in 1975 | |
Born | Grand Rapids, Michigan, U.S. | June 3, 1924
Died | December 7, 2004 Ada Township, Michigan, U.S. | (aged 80)
Education | Calvin University, Pratt Business School |
Known for | Amway co-founder |
Spouse | Betty Van Andel |
Jay Van Andel (June 3, 1924 – December 7, 2004) was an American billionaire businessman, best known as co-founder of the Amway Corporation, along with Richard DeVos.[1]
He also served as chairman of the U.S. Chamber of Commerce from 1979 to 1980.[2]
Early life
Jay Van Andel was born on June 3, 1924, to James and Petronilla (Van der Woude) Van Andel in Grand Rapids, Michigan.[3] His grandparents, Christian and Elizabeth had immigrated to America from the Netherlands in 1909.[4]
Van Andel's parents were devout Christians and members of the Christian Reformed Church. Jay credits his Christian background as being foundational for the rest of his life as a Christian. He once wrote, "Christianity involved the living out of Biblical values of honesty, generosity, and respect for others in our everyday life."[5]
Jay attended
When World War II broke out, Jay served as a United States Army Air Force officer.[6] He was commissioned as a second lieutenant and trained crews for B-17 and B-29 bombers that reached the Japanese mainland.[7]
Jay met his wife Betty Jean Hoekstra while on a direct selling house call in the spring of 1951. They married on August 16, 1952.[8]
Amway
While attending the Grand Rapids Christian High School before World War II, Jay Van Andel met Rich DeVos.[9] In 1949, Van Andel and DeVos became distributors of Nutrilite dietary supplements. They added cleaning products including Liquid Organic Cleaner, to their core line of products in 1958. In 1959, the "American Way Association" began in the basements of the Van Andel and DeVos homes, and later that year "Amway Sales Corporation" was formed. A converted service station became Amway's first outside office building in 1960.[10]
Today, Amway is a direct selling multinational company that sells a variety of health, beauty, and home care products. Amway went on to become the largest direct selling company in the world.[11] Amway corporate reports that in 2019, they have over 3 million independent business owners (IBO's) in over 100 countries.[12]
Van Andel Institute
In 1996, Van Andel founded
Since 1996, the Van Andel Institute is led by Jay's son, David Van Andel, as Chairman and CEO.[15]
Political activity and philanthropy
A strong supporter of the
Awards
In 1981, Van Andel received the Golden Plate Award of the American Academy of Achievement.[17]
In 1993, Jay Van Andel was honored with an Edison Achievement Award for his commitment to innovation throughout his career.
Death
Van Andel and his wife Betty both died in 2004; Betty had Alzheimer's disease, and Jay had Parkinson's.[18]
References
- ^ "Amway's 60th anniversary seeks to build on its 'pioneering spirit". MLive. 2019-09-10.
- ^ "Amway Founders". Amway.
- ISBN 0-88730-997-6.
- ISBN 0-88730-997-6.
- ISBN 0-88730-997-6.
- ^ "Amway Founders". Amway.
- ISBN 0-88730-997-6.
- ISBN 0-88730-997-6.
- ^ "Amway Founders". Amway.
- ^ An Enterprising Life, by Jay Van Andel
- ^ "One of the Wealthiest Self-Made Entrepreneurs Ever Believed in These 3 Things". Inc. Magazine. 2019-04-22.
- ^ "Become a IPO". Amway. Archived from the original on 2019-06-16.
- ^ "Van Andel Institute About Us page". Van Andel Institute.
- ^ "Van Andel Institute". Charity Navigator. Retrieved August 23, 2012.
- ^ "Highlights of Hope 20th Anniversary Edition by Van Andel Institute - Issuu". issuu.com. 2016-10-05. Retrieved 2023-05-18.
- ^ "Forbes.com - Magazine Article". Forbes. 2005-02-04. Archived from the original on 2005-02-04. Retrieved 2023-05-18.
- American Academy of Achievement.
- ^ "Jay Van Andel". Encyclopedia of World Biography. Retrieved August 23, 2012.
- This article contains content from HierarchyPedia article Jay Van Andel, used here under the GNU Free Documentation License.